Operation Amina

March 10

2008-03-10T13:37:00.015-04:00

We are rejoicing in God our Savior!

With great excitement we can now say, "mission complete!" Amenah and her mother have been safely returned to their home in Iraq. With hugs and tears of joy they met Amenah's father at the airport. On their return they found that a huge celebration feast had been prepared for them with over a hundred people present.

Here are some words from Major Kevin Jarrard:

"Words are inadequate to describe my thankfulness to all of you for your roles in this mission. If you have never previously witnessed a miracle – now you have."

Thank you all for joining with us in this endeavor. We pray that God would bless each of you as you have been so generous in supporting this mission.

MISSION COMPLETE!!!

February 21

2008-02-21T11:59:00.010-05:00

God has once again shown His gracious hand!

The doctors are amazed at how quickly Amenah is healing. Her expected 10-day stay at the hospital turned into only 3 days. She has become quite the energetic and rambunctious little girl; they have been unable to keep her quiet as the doctors advised! At her appointment yesterday the doctors said she may be able to return home to Iraq as soon as March 4th; her mother is elated. The team is now working to put their trip together. We cannot find words to express how thankful we are for both your prayers and financial support. Please keep praying for them as they prepare for their journey home.

God Bless you all!

For those interested in the Vanderbilt blog the link is provided below:

http://www.vanderbiltchildrens.com/

February 12

2008-02-12T13:22:00.003-05:00

To God be all Glory, Laud and Honor!

AMINA'S SURGERY WAS A SUCCESS!!! By 11:00 a.m. on February 11th, the surgical team was able to report to Amina's mother that her surgery was a success. The surgery lasted a total of three hours, which was shorter than orginally expected. "I cannot describe how I am feeling," said Amina's mother, Maha Mohammed Al-Sumaidaie. "I didn't even imagine this could happen. Thank goodness for everything, and I thank God for all those who have helped."
Amina is doing very well at this point, but is not out of danger yet. Please keep praying for her recovery. She is expected to be in the hospital for the next 10 days and will then spend the next six weeks recovering at her host family's home.

For those interested, Vanderbilt Children's Hospital is keeping a running blog on Amina's story. It is updated every day. The link is provided below.

ht tp://www.vanderbiltchildrens.com/

The correct spelling of Amina's name is Amenah Al-Bayati.
Thank you again for all your prayers and support!

January 31

2008-01-31T20:33:00.000-05:00

Amina's surgery has been scheduled for the 11th of Febuary. She continues to be happy and stable.

Pray for the doctors to have steady hands and an understanding of how to correct Amina's heart problem during the surgery.

For those who are interested, http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/ continues to run stories on Operation Amina. After going to the site, click on NEWS and then LOCAL NEWS. Type Amina or Iraqi girl in the search box and the stories should come up.

Thank you again for your support and prayers.

January 29

2008-01-29T13:06:00.000-05:00

Amina continues to be evaluated by the physicians at Vanderbilt. At this time she is being treated for an upper respiratory infection. She will undergo more tests Wednesday, and doctors are hoping to do the surgery next week. However, this all depends on her physical condition. Doctors are trying to make her as physically strong as possible before the surgery.

Despite Amina's conditions, her mother says she is a different child since her arrival in the US. She is very happy and playful. Her mother says she is so grateful that Amina is receiving care, and she is waiting for the BIG HAPPINESS, which is a successful surgery and return home to Iraq. She says, "Americans are wonderful!"

KEEP PRAYING!
"Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him Who sent Me." Mark 9:37

January 26

2008-01-26T19:38:00.000-05:00

Little Amina's medical problems are more serious than first thought. The doctors who examined her at Vanderbilt Children's Hospital discovered that her heart is backwards in her chest and her large arteries are oriented abnormally. In addition to this, she has a large hole in her heart along with a severe obstruction between her heart and lungs. Amina will require a very complex open heart surgery. At a time like this we are so thankful we can rest in God's sovereignty, knowing He is in control of every aspect of our lives. We find great comfort and joy knowing that we serve an omnipotent and omniscient Lord. Now is our time to pray without ceasing. Wrap Amina in your prayers!

We have provided a web address below to a recent news story and video of Amina. After going to the site, click on NEWS and then LOCAL NEWS and her story will be there. If it has been removed, type "Amina" in the search box:

www.myfoxatlanta.com

January 24

2008-01-24T12:31:00.000-05:00

WE HAVE AN AWESOME GOD!
We were overcome by God's greatness as we witnessed the arrival of Amina, her mother, and Team Bulldog on the evening of the 23rd. As always, God had this operation perfectly and sovereignly planned out to the last detail. If they had left a day later they would have been further delayed due to extreme weather conditions.

Amina was to have had a day of rest, but she is sicker than expected. In light of this, her evaluation at the hospital will begin today. Please be praying that once she is evaluated there will be no complications, and that she will be operable. Pray also that those in contact with Amina and her mother will have opportunities to share Christ with them.

January 21

2008-01-21T12:21:00.000-05:00

TEAM BULLDOG safely arrived in Amman on the 20th. All is proceeding as planned, and the team expects to arrive in Nashville the evening of the 23rd.

Hallelujah! God has miraculously opened doors, and funds have been provided for in ways that were not expected. Because of this our projected cost has now changed to $29,000. Thank you for all your prayers and support.

"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6

January 15

2008-01-15T13:01:00.000-05:00

God has blessed us once again! We have finished putting together the escort team, and tickets have been purchased. God has certainly gone before us and prepared the way for this operation to take place. Thank you again for all the support. Please continue to pray for Amina, her mother and all teams involved, as this is an arduous journey.

January 10th, 2008

2008-01-10T18:10:00.000-05:00

God be praised!!! Kevin has obtained the Iraqi passports for Amina and her mother! At this time their departure is still set for January 22nd. We still need to pray for the assembling of the escort team and the purchase of plane tickets.
We would like to clarify why there was an increase in the estimated costs for Operation Amina.
Initially, Kevin estimated from his limited position and contacts what the cost might be. His estimate was $25,000.00. Since then, a team member has more thoroughly calculated the total costs including air-fare, lodging, satellite telephones, travel expenses, insurance, and post surgical care as being closer to $48,000.00. These are liberal estimates and we hope the cost may even be less. At this time, any excess funds will be designated to Children's Hospital in Nashville. As we have stated before, the hospital has generously agreed to do the surgery for no cost.
Thank you for your fervent prayers. We are seeing God open doors in areas we did not expect. Please continue to keep Amina, Kevin, her mother and the team in your prayers.

Update on donations received.

2008-01-07T21:17:00.000-05:00

The estimated total amount needed for all expenses has increased. The pie chart on the right will be updated regularly to reflect contributions received. An explanation for the increase in funds will be provided shortly. Thanks to everyone who is spreading the word about this endeavor. And thank you for your contributions.

January 7

2008-01-07T19:34:00.000-05:00

We have had a few setbacks despite some 4th-quarter heroics from a diverse group. The cross-border movement originally scheduled for 11th of January will now take place, Lord willing, the 22nd of January. The additional time will allow better coordination between all the people who are making this possible. The Lord seems to be answering prayers, and progress is being made in putting together an escort team. Please continue to pray, as we are having some holdups in obtaining Iraqi passports for Amina and her mother. Amina's condition continues to be stable. She is being seen each morning at the Haditha Hospital and receiving oxygen treatments.

Kevin says, "Thanks to all. Your efforts and most of all your prayers are appreciated. We are pursuing success relentlessly and will not rest until this is finished."

Semper Fidelis,

Major Kevin Jarrard

January 5

2008-01-05T15:45:00.001-05:00

Hurray! We have completed putting Team Bulldog together and we have purchased tickets. They plan to leave on the 8th to pick up Amina and her mother. Please continue in prayer, because Team Bulldog must have an escort service to make the 450 mile journey from Amman Jordan to the Iraqi border. There team War Eagle will meet them with Amina. Kevin is working vigorously to put this escort team together.

As of today we have $5,000 of the needed $25,000 to make this operation happen.Please continue to pray that the necessary funds will come in. A BIG thank you to all who have contributed. We could not have gotten this far without you. God Bless you!

January 3

2008-01-03T13:20:00.000-05:00

As of today, Amina is receiving oxygen every morning. She is still functional, but when she tries to get up to play her extremities start to turn blue.

Please be praying for Amina to stay healthy enough to make this journey.

January 2

2008-01-02T14:19:00.000-05:00

There will be three teams involved in Operation Amina. The first team is TEAM WAR EAGLE. This consists of the Navy/Marine team in Iraq. They are working with Homeland Security and the State Department. They will also be physically moving the mother and daughter to the Iraqi-Jordanian Border. The second team is team BULLDOG. This consists of friends and family from Gainesville, Georgia. They are helping raise money and will be traveling to Jordan to meet TEAM WAR EAGLE. Once there they will pick up mother and daughter and escort them to Nashville. The third team is TEAM COMMODORE. This consists of people in Nashville who will care for mother and daughter during their stay at Children's Hospital.

Please be praying fervently for these three teams and all who are involved in this operation. Pray not only for their safety and well being, but also for the necessary funds to make this operation possible. Thank you for your continued support.

January 2, 2008

2008-01-02T14:10:00.000-05:00

For those of you interested in what Kevin is doing in Iraq we have provided a link to a newspaper article below:

http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,157085,00.html

December 30

2007-12-30T14:13:00.000-05:00

We just received an update from Kevin. He says, "The tremendous team effort that has been expended so far is beginning to bear fruit. The Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State have agreed to issue the necessary travel documents for Amina and her mother to move from Iraq through Jordan to the US. We are in the process of obtaining an Iraqi passport for the mother. I expect to have that in hand no later than 7 January."

We thought you might be interested in this newspaper article written before Christmas.
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/2155/

December 29

2007-12-29T14:23:00.000-05:00

We would like to explain in more detail Amina's medical condition. She was diagnosed with

"Tetralogy of Fallot." This is a heart condition which occurs when the baby is developing in the uterus and the developing artery (aorta), which pumps oxygenated blood to the body, is displaced, and an abnormal opening exists between the two main chambers of the heart. This causes the oxygenated and unoxygenated blood to mix and go to the wrong places. Amina already has clubbing of her hands and feet due to low oxygen levels in her blood. Her condition has progressed to the most common, often fatal, consequence of Tetralogy of Fallot- progressive congestive heart failure from heart enlargement. So time is our enemy.

"And let us not weary in doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart." - Galatians 6:9

December 28

2007-12-28T13:02:00.000-05:00

We are currently in need of $25,000. Donations will pay for travel costs and any expenses the mother and daughter will incur while they remain in the US for surgery and recovery. They will also pay for the team of US civilians to travel to the Iraq/Jordanian border to pick up Amina and her mother to transport them to Nashville, TN. Any balance remaining in the account will be donated to Children's Hospital. We are trying to execute this plan as soon as possible due to Amina's worsening condition. We hope to have them at the hospital in Nashville as soon as financing allows. Thank you in advance for your financial support and prayers.

A charitable account has been established at Branch Banking and Trust for the sole purpose of supporting this operation. The account number is 0005240050082. Routing number 061113415. Swift code BRBTUS33. Address- BB&T, ATTN: MS. ROBIN SMITH, 455 Jesse Jewell Parkway, Gainesville, GA 30501. Checks payable to "OPERATION AMINA."

Robin is a personal longtime friend of the Jarrard family, and she and Kevin's wife, Kelly will jointly oversee the administration and accounting of the fund. You may rest assured that each dollar will be carefully safeguarded and wisely spent in support of one goal: facilitating the successful life-saving medical procedures necessary for little Amina and then returning her safely home.

Greetings from Iraq

2007-12-27T20:47:00.000-05:00

We'd like you all to read about Kevin Jarrard's exciting plan to save the life of a little Iraqi girl:

"I am serving as the company commander for Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, 23rd Marines, a Marine Corps Reserve unit headquartered in Montgomery, Alabama. This is our second tour of duty in Iraq. We arrived in Iraq in early October. During our interactions with the local folks we met a family with a sick little girl - Amina Ala Thabit (Amina), age 3. She needs immediate open-heart surgery in order to preserve her life. I have been working on a plan to transport her to the United States for treatment ever since. It looks like this may be possible. Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville has agreed to perform the procedure."